P380 Front guide rail bent

[topgun1953]

I noticed that one of my guide rails has bent. I noticed it after me last visit to the range. What do you all think? Will it eventually break?

[Bawanna]

I'd send those pictures to Kahr and see what they say. Probably a new frame in your future if I'm looking at the pictures right.

[topgun1953]

I'd send those pictures to Kahr and see what they say. Probably a new frame in your future if I'm looking at the pictures right.
Thanks Bawanna. That's what I was thinking. I'll send them off to Jay tomorrow.

[CJB]

I think that's how my first PM45 started out. It was probably bent from the get go, but I didn't notice it, or know to look for it. Eventually.... it got pretty nasty looking, really chewed up, but... Kahr replaced it (serial number exactly 200 units from the one I sent in... sort of interesting!).

Never had another problem at all. I'm guessing it was just a bad stamping that got stuck into the mold or maybe the molding process itself had an issue.

No matter, Kahr made it good, and I've never looked back, bought three more over the years!

[topgun1953]

Jay says it is normal and that the frame is ok. Sooo...I'll Keep shooting it.

[CharlieR]

If it looks like gouges taken out of the rail, my PM9 started out that way......Kahr said it was ok like that.....a month later, the rail broke.

Pics here: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?24795-PM9-Frame-Rail-broke

[gb6491]

Jay says it is normal and that the frame is ok. Sooo...I'll Keep shooting it.
I disagree. I've seen rails with a slight cant, but that was always the full length of the rail. It appears to me that rail is bent upwards for over a third of it length towards the muzzle end while the rest of the rail has a different orientation. That is not normal so that frame is not ok.
Regards,
Greg

[topgun1953]

I disagree. I've seen rails with a slight cant, but that was always the full length of the rail. It appears to me that rail is bent upwards for over a third of it length towards the muzzle end while the rest of the rail has a different orientation. That is not normal so that frame is not ok.
Regards,
Greg

im with you Greg. I sent the same three pictures to Jay. At first he said "our rails are not molded symmetrically. This reduces stress and is not a cause for concern." I know what symmetrically means but had no clue how it related to my pics so I replied "to be clear, I'm talking about the right side metal rail that is bent up, not the bowing of the frame which I know is normal." He said, "I'm familiar with what you are talking about, there is no problem with your frame."

So, I'll just keep on shooting it. When it does break, I'm sure Kahr will take care of it. It will be interesting to monitor the situation. I rarely carry it in favor of a P938.

Jeff

[gun papa]

Jay is the same guy who says he never has heard of 380 strikers breaking and guns that fail to return to battery as normal. I think his job is to placate Kahr owners vs. Fixing a real issue.

[Bawanna]

Topgun, check your PM's.

[topgun1953]

Just to close out the thread. I sent another set of pictures to Kahr and they sent me a label to send it in. As many of you thought, they replaced the frame. So I'm quite pleased with the result as it appears the entire lower has new parts in it. First trip to the range went well 50 rounds of Freedom XTP perfect. 50 rounds of Freedom flat nose experienced some fail to feeds out of full mags which is normal for me. If I put 5 in a mag, perfect....As a plus, I got an itch for a .45, my first, so I bought a CM45..(345 including tax)...my ffl ended up not charging for transfer of the new 380 frame.

[marshal kane]

I will say the groove in the slide that rides on that rail is pretty generous and you may not experience any problems at all. Shoot your P380 often and keep track of that guide rail. If your warranty is like mine, you have five years to return your gun to Kahr.

[gb6491]

Just to close out the thread. I sent another set of pictures to Kahr and they sent me a label to send it in. As many of you thought, they replaced the frame. So I'm quite pleased with the result as it appears the entire lower has new parts in it. First trip to the range went well 50 rounds of Freedom XTP perfect. 50 rounds of Freedom flat nose experienced some fail to feeds out of full mags which is normal for me. If I put 5 in a mag, perfect....As a plus, I got an itch for a .45, my first, so I bought a CM45..(345 including tax)...my ffl ended up not charging for transfer of the new 380 frame.
Thanks for the follow up! :)
Regards,
Greg